CAPE TOWN // Tiny Temba Bavuma scored his first Test century for South Africa on Tuesday and suggested English sledging helped him reaching the landmark.
The 25-year-old batsman was 102 not out when the hosts declared on 627 for seven late on the fourth day as the second Test headed for a draw.
The cheers that greeted the milestone, which came after an entertaining knock of just 141 balls, raised the roof at Newlands.
“They were words of encouragement if I can put it politely. The guys did say a lot but I think it was all in the spirit of the game,” Bavuma told reporters.
“Maybe it assisted me to knuckle down out there. I kind of enjoyed it. It was almost like being back at school where guys used to come hard at me because I was short.”
Standing 1.67 metres, Bavuma is playing his seventh Test and his innings will be a major boost for South African cricket as the authorities try to ensure the racial make-up of the team is more reflective of the country’s society.
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“I am quite relieved, full of emotion and very satisfied from a personal and team point of view,” Bavuma said.
“I’ve been wanting to cross off that first Test hundred and to do it at my favourite ground was extra special.”
Bavuma was born not far from Newlands in the black African township of Langa.
“I think pressure is always there and as young guy I’m at start of my international career and I really want to make use of the chances I’ve been given as well as make a mark for myself,” he said.
His parents missed his debut against the West Indies at the same ground a year ago but flew in from their holiday to watch him this time.
“I’m sure that moment was full of emotion for them too,” he said.
Bavuma, 25, waited for almost six hours before getting his chance as captain Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis batted South Africa out of danger in a marathon partnership.
“I slept a bit on the balcony for some of those hours and I just tried to keep clam and wait for my opportunity and enjoy the success of the guys out there,” he said.
Amla hit a double century as South Africa made 627 for seven before declaring two runs short of England’s first-innings total of 629 for six declared.
England openers Alastair Cook and Alex Hales negotiated a tricky six overs, reaching 16 for no wicket at the close. They will go into the last day with an overall lead of 18 runs.
Amla made 201 and Bavuma 102 not out in a South African innings which lasted for 211 overs and more than two days.
The innings featured three partnerships of more than 150.
Amla was involved in the first two big stands, 183 for the third wicket with AB de Villiers (88) and 171 for the fourth with Du Plessis (86).
But there was still some alarm for South Africa when three wickets, including those of Amla and Du Plessis, fell to the third new ball soon after lunch.
Bavuma and new cap Chris Morris came together with their side still 180 runs behind with five wickets remaining and England still hoping to secure a good first innings lead.
But the pair played fearless cricket and added 167 runs, a South African seventh wicket partnership record against England.
Amla benefited from four dropped or missed catches, while De Villiers, Du Plessis, Bavuma and Morris (two) all gave chances.
Stuart Broad and James Anderson struck three times with the third new ball in a rare period of ascendancy for the bowlers.
Amla was bowled off bat and pad and Du Plessis followed four balls later, caught in the gully off Anderson. Quinton de Kock made only five before pulling a short ball from Broad to backward square leg.
Amla, who made his fourth Test double century, batted for 707 minutes, faced 477 balls and hit 27 fours.
With a draw almost assured, England look set to take a 1-0 lead into the third Test of the four-match series in Johannesburg next week.
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